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Topic: Reforger... 08 (Read 590 times)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Geez, like the ole days, eh lads?
Hohenfels, ah, I can smell the mud!
Five nations begin joint training event in Germany
Sep 15, 2008
BY Staff Sgt. Tony White, Spc. Opal Hood, 5th Mobile Public Affairs
HOHENFELS, Germany-American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand ground forces held an opening ceremony for Cooperative Spirit 2008 Friday at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center here.
The ceremony signaled the start to the American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Armies Program's month-long training, which will primarily focus on the interoperability of equipment and the exchanging of tactics and procedures between the five-nation coalition.
"Interoperability, in my mind, is the ability of all of us to look each other in the eye to make orders and directives and to understand one another and to go out and complete missions together," said U.S. Army Col. David Funk, commander 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. "Our Army continues to fight ... and we don't fight it alone."
Although goals for all the nations are the same, there are still trials that must be overcome.
"The biggest challenge to interoperability is that while ABCA nations share similar values, each has a distinct national identity and ways of doing business," said Australian Col. Shane Amor, the Chief of Staff for the ABCA program. "Each of their armies brings different capabilities to the pot. Understanding those differences, communicating and sharing information, and tactful integration of the five armies is a challenge but is essential to achieve cohesion and mission success."
Roughly 1,800 troops are participating in a variety of training situations including cordon and searches, downed aircraft recovery, provincial reconstruction team operations and live-fire scenarios. The training begins with squad and platoon level training, and gradually builds up to multinational integrated brigade-level operations and missions.
Not only are the mostly infantry Soldiers honing their infantry skills, but the troops will also participate in a variety of civil affairs projects, including building up local, notional economies with the aid of coalition forces and establishing reclamation projects such as schools and hospitals. The missions will be conducted so as to help troops understand the full spectrum of operations they may encounter.
Cooperative Spirit 2008 is particularly designed to test the interoperability of command and control information systems, working together in a counterinsurgency-based environment. To accomplish this, the units will perform a variety of tasks such as detainee handling and improvised explosive device defeat techniques, tactics and procedures.
"ABCA is five like-minded nations who have been working together for a long time ... working together to work out interoperability issues," said Lt. Col. Geoff Parker, commander of 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment.
The U.S. Army has several units taking part in the month-long training exercise, including the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, both from Fort Lewis, Wash. The infantry battalion is an organic element to the Stryker Brigade and they both have deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, most recently returning in September 2007.
Soldiers from the Utah Army National Guard also are participating in the multinational training. The unit provided security for the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. In addition, the Soldiers supplied humanitarian relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The 1st Welsh Guard will participate as representatives from the United Kingdom. During the last five years the unit has deployed to Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Kosovo.
The Canadian Army presence will be shown by the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment from Gregg Barracks, Gagetown, Canada. Since 2004 the unit participated in operational activities in Afghanistan and Haiti.
Also taking part in the training will be the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, from Townsville, Australia. Within the last decade the unit has seen operational service in East Timor, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Iraq and Afghanistan.
A company of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, from Burnam, New Zealand, will also partake in the coalition training. Since 2000 the unit has served in Bosnia, Bougainville, East Timor, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
Created in 1947, the ABCA Armies' Program initially consisted of the American, British and Canadian Armies. In order to take advantage of the close-working relationships these three nations shared during World War II, a pact was signed to signify their willingness to continue the well-built and defined union.
As the century progressed, the three nations would recognize the Australian and New Zealand Armies as permanent members in 1963 and 2006, respectively. Today, the ABCA members form an organization echoing similar national values and defense goals, which plans to continue to evolve to meet the demands of their people and the ever-changing world.
For additional information about Cooperative Spirit 2008 and the ABCA Armies Program, go to www.abca-armies.org.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Wow, still going, i was on Reforger 1, or , Reforger as it was called...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Tony Giacomelli
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Hey Mike : I bet they aint got 20 cases of Heineken in the back of their 548 !!! Better check O ' Tooles
C/S ! 
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Tony, those were the days!
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Wayne OToole
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Lots of troops on this. No green grenades in the old 548 this time. (chocolate milk now). Sports and beer at the end of the ex in october. Hoehenfelds has changed big time from what we would know it, kill houses, paved hard stands etc. Not too bad though.
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Wayne O'Toole
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Gender:
Posts: 3813
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Oktoberfest is wunderbar.... Wayne, get some pictures for those of us faaaaaar out the loop. 
Prosit.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 2598
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Ahhhh, dang well miss Oktoberfest, for sure....ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Wayne OToole
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Posts: 110
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Hey Mike, too bad Oktoberfest is over when the ex ends. But I imagine I'll find some way to amuse myself during the 2 days.....
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Wayne
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Glen TW Thomson
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Remember when the word came out on Fallex I believe 1982 that Quote "No more Beer in the Tracks or Wheel Trucks ". So what's a good RCR do, he obey the order and does what he told, but as a good soldier is trg to do with his good judement and trg, he empty's out half the water cans, put's the beer in them instead, as the orders said no beer in the tracks, now the beer is outside. Than the higher-ups found out about that, they had to replace that order with no beer other than the M-548. Where were there heads when they thought that up, the biggest beer lovers were the Coy HQ RQ Staff.
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Hawhawahwhaw.. where theres a will there will be found a way..heheheheh..ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Gender:
Posts: 3813
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Hey, Wayne, they will still be selling the special beer until it is gone so don't delay! marzenbier, I think it is called but I may be wrong. Potent stuff!
Make sure you got the number for the drunk bus!
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3813
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Canada goes live fire in 'Cooperative Spirit'
Sep 22, 2008
BY Spc. Warren W. Wright, Jr.
HOHENFELS, Germany - Canadian Soldiers with loaded weapons sat in anticipation with eager looks on their faces behind a large barricade of rocks. The overcast sky and chill in the wind didn't change the Soldiers determined stature.
Given the order to move, with weapons drawn they dash for the shoothouse compound of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center. Soldiers stacked up on the door to prepare for entry. Canadian Army engineers force the door open and dozens of Soldiers flow into the building like an avalanche.
The sounds of gunfire reverberated through the building. The Soldiers moved room by room. They lined up their shots and tookl out their targets. After a couple minutes there was silence. They completed their task: clearing the building of all hostile targets.
I Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment is at JMRC for a month-long training event called Cooperative Spirit 2008, a coalition training mission involving America, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (ABCA).
Cooperative Spirit 2008 is designed to test interoperability among friendly nations and to ensure that their forces have the ability to train and operate effectively together.
The ABCA countries have experience in many different areas, and they have a lot of useful knowledge that Canada can use, said Canadian Army Cpl. Scott Preeper, the Section 2 second in command for 9 Platoon, I Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.
"The group is getting some very high-speed training ... the instructors have been very helpful," he said.
The group was observed and coached by American Soldiers such as Sgt. 1st Class Jason Wright, JMRC. Wright is an observer controller responsible for coaching and mentoring the units working in his area.
"He's been showing us things from a different perspective," said Preeper. "We've been picking his brain all we can."
"You can tell every country here knows what they're doing," said Canadian Army Private Lee Penney, 9 Platoon, I Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.
"It's a different atmosphere in Germany, and it's great to see how other nations do things compared to how Canada operates," he added.
The Canadian Company practiced their drills with blank rounds prior to conducting the live-fire event. During the blank-fire practice, operator controllers sent signals to several Soldiers' multiple integrated laser engagement system sensors to signal to that Soldier that he was injured or killed. Soldiers then had to act accordingly and practice first aid on the simulated wounds.
Members of 9 Platoon learned that it is very important to ensure the building is safe and secure prior to rendering aid to fellow Soldiers, said Preeper. "It is very important to get the combat out of the way before casualty care," he added.
Being at JMRC has helped the unit enhance their urban operation proficiency and to learn how to better prioritize their movements, he said.
Various safety measures are taken during any live-fire event. The instructors briefed the entire company on a wide range of safety measures prior to beginning the event.
The Canadian Soldiers followed the instructions of their American operator controllers with no problems at all, said Sgt. Dan Macintyre, Bravo section commander, 9 Platoon, I Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.
"If I deploy with my guys, and everyone comes back home safe, that's what I'm looking for," Macintyre added.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Urquhart
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does the water still make everyone sick i remember the whole Battalion being sick there
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3813
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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I don't think it was the water, Mike...bwahahahahaaaaa
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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